Hot Read: ‘Jags Lose Out West

By BJ BennettSouthernPigskin.com

1. South Alabama got off to a great start in the program's second-ever bowl game, jumping out to a 21-3 lead over Air Force in the Arizona Bowl. From that point on, however, the Falcons scored 42 unanswered points en route to a 45-21 victory. The Jaguars were hurt by three turnovers and nine penalties and they were only able to hold possession for just over 19 minutes. South Alabama gave up 460 yards of total offense.

2. Josh Magee had a highlight-reel afternoon. He caught five passes for 154 yards, opening the action with a 75-yard touchdown catch on the very first play from scrimmage. His 154 receiving yards stand as a career-high.

3. The Jaguars struggled when the Falcons threw the football over the top. Though operating out of an option-based attack, Air Force quarterback Arion Worthman completed 7-of-10 passes for 207 yards, an average of over 20 yards per pass attempt.

4. Darrell Songy had a productive afternoon on defense. He finished the day with 16 total tackles, 12 of them solo, with two tackles for loss. As a unit, South Alabama's defense recorded ten tackles for loss. Devon Earl led the way with three tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

5. Even with the Jaguars' loss, it was a statement postseason for the Sun Belt Conference. South Alabama went 4-2 in a record six bowl games.